Adventure
XXI
How Kriemhilda Went to the Huns
Leave we the heralds riding:
we must make known to you
How the Queen’s journey prosper’d,
as she the land rode through;
And where from her did Gernot
and Giselher depart.
Right truly each had served her,
as taught of faithful heart.
They rode as far as Pfoering,
upon the Danube-strand.
Then of the queen began they
kind quittance to demand,
Since homeward they returning
unto the Rhine would ride:
Nor might this without weeping
’twixt loving friends betide.
Then Giselher the ready
unto his sister said:
“If ever thou, fair lady,
shouldst stand in need of aid,
If e’er thou art in danger,
fail not to let me know.
To Etzel’s land to serve thee
I presently will go.”
Those who were of her kindred
upon the mouth she kist;
And at the hour of parting
full many a loving tryst
One saw the liegemen keeping
of margrave Rüdeger:
For many a well-dight maiden
the queen led forth with her.
Five score and four in number:
rich clothing did they wear
And brightly tinctured cloth-stuffs:
and many men did bear
Broad shields to guard the ladies
beside them on the way.
But many a princely warrior
must part from them that day.
Thence rode they swiftly forward
down through Bavarian land.
The people told the tidings
of how a mickle band
Of unknown guests were coming,
nigh where a cloister still
Doth stand, and where Inn river
the Danube’s flood doth fill.
Within the town of Passau
there was a bishop’s see.
The hostels and the palace
stood empty presently:
To meet the guests men hied them
on to Bavarian ground,
Where Pilgerin the bishop
the fair Kriemhilda found.
The warriors of the country
no whit displeasèd were
To see behind her coming
so many ladies fair,
Their eyes upon these daughters
of noble knights did rest.
Good lodging was provided
for every noble guest.
The bishop into Passau,
his niece beside him, rode;
And when among the burghers
the news was noised abroad
That coming was Kriemhilda,
their prince’s sister’s child,
Right gladly was she welcomed
by all the merchant guild.
That they were come to sojourn
the bishop fain had known,
But Eckewart said to him:
“It is not to be done;
To Rüdeger’s dominions
we needs must journey down,
Where many knights await us:
as is to all well-known.”
The tidings of their coming
now fair Gotlinda knew.
Straightway she made her ready,
her noble daughter too.
For Rüdeger had warn’d her
that he would deem it good
If when the queen was coming—
to somewhat cheer her mood—
She would ride forth to meet her,
with escort of his men,
Unto the river Ense;
which being accomplish’d, then
On every side beheld one
the very roads alive
With folk, on foot or horseback—
to see the guests arrive
Now was the queen by this time
to Everdingen come.
No few of the Bavarians
did then as outlaws roam,
To rob upon the highways;
and they, as was their wont,
Might to the guests have offer’d
some dangerous affront.
But well the noble margrave
of this had taken thought;
For he a thousand warriors
and even more had brought.
There also came Gotlinda,
the wife of Rüdeger,
And many a knight of valour
right nobly rode with her.
When they the Traun had traversed,
upon the level green
By Ens, folk making ready
cabins and tents were seen;
For there it was determined
the night-halt should be made.
All charges for the strangers
by Rüdeger were paid.
The fair Gotlinda stay’d not
upon the camping ground,
But forward went to meet them.
Along the roadway wound
With ever tinkling trappings
a handsome cavalcade.
Right kindly was her greeting—
which Rüdeger made glad.
And those whom either party
encounter’d on the way
Rode in praiseworthy fashion;
right many thanes were they.
They practised knightly pastimes,
by many a maiden seen;
Nor was the warriors’ service
unpleasing to the queen.
As Rüdeger’s retainers
unto the guests came nigh,
Right many were the lance-shafts
one saw raised up on high,
By warriors’ hands uplifted,
as is the knightly mode;
And then before the ladies
praiseworthily they rode.
This brought they to an ending;
then many of the men
Greeted each other kindly.
The fair Gotlinda then
To where she saw Kriemhilda
they brought upon her way.
They who could serve the ladies
had little rest that day.
The lord of Bechelaren
up to his wife did ride;
The noble lady-margrave
was right well satisfied
That he from the Rhine country
all safe and sound had won.
And somewhat was her sorrow
in happiness undone.
When she had made him welcome,
he bade her on the green
Dismount, with all the ladies
who in her train were seen.
Then many a noble liegeman
was busy as could be;
And service to the ladies
was done right readily.
As now the lady Kriemhild
the margravine espied,
Standing with her attendants,
she would no nearer ride;
But with the rein her palfrey
at once began to stay,
And bade them from the saddle
to lift her down straightway.
His sister’s daughter leading
one saw the bishop soon,
With Eckewart, to make her
unto Gotlinda known;
And, in a trice, the people
made wide the way for this.
Upon the lips the stranger
did Gotelinda kiss.
Then spake in loving fashion
the wife of Rüdeger:
“Now well is me, dear lady,
that I thy presence fair
Within my country’s borders
and with mine eyes have seen.
To me could at this season
no greater joy have been.”
“Most noble Gotelinda,
God give you your reward!
If haply I,” spake Kriemhild,
“and Botlung’s son be spared,
One day you may be joyful
that you have seen my face.”
They both were all unknowing
of what must come to pass.
Due courtesies exchanging,
walk’d many maidens fair;
Their services to render
the warriors ready were.
They sat, the greetings ended,
upon the clover down,
And many made acquaintance,
who were till then unknown.
Wine brought they for the ladies;
and now ’twas full midday;
The noble folk would therefore
no longer there delay.
They rode on till they came where
large huts and many stood,
And for the noble strangers
was waiting service good.
That night they slept in quiet
until the dawning brake.
But they of Bechelaren
themselves did ready make,
So that they might provide for
so many a worthy guest.
Well Rüdeger had managed
that little should be miss’d.
One saw how every window
stood open in the wall:
The castle of Bechlaren
was entry-free to all.
Therein the guests came riding,
well seen of all around.
The noble host had bidden
good hostel to be found.
Then Rüdeger’s fair daughter
with all her company,
Unto the queen approaching,
received her lovingly.
There likewise was her mother,
the wife of the margrave.
To many a young damsel
they kindly greeting gave.
Hands took they with each other,
and so together went
Unto a wide-room’d palace
of fashion excellent,
For there, beneath it rushing,
one saw the Danube’s flood.
They sat and took the breezes,
and had much pastime good.
Of what they did there further
I cannot say a word.
That so much time was wasted
complaints, howe’er, were heard—
Made by Kriemhilda’s warriors,
whose patience thus was tried.
But with them, from Bechlaren
what goodly thanes did ride!
By Rüdeger kind service
was amply offerèd.
The queen bestow’d, when leaving,
twelve golden bracelets red
On Gotelinda’s daughter,
and raiment, too, well-wrought:
She into Etzel’s country
herself no better brought.
Although they had despoil’d her
of all the Niblung gold,
The love of all who saw her
she knew to win and hold
With what small wealth remaining
she for her use might have.
Unto her host’s house-servants
great store of gifts she gave.
Like honour show’d on her side
the lady Gotelind
Unto the guests from Rhineland;
to whom she was so kind
That one could find scarce any
among the strangers there
Who had not of her jewels
or raiment fine to wear.
When they enough had eaten,
and time it was to start,
The mistress of the household
proffer’d, with all her heart,
Most true and loyal service
to Etzel’s wife to-be.
Then was the fair young maiden
embraced right lovingly.
Unto the Queen thus spake she:
“If it seem good to you,
I know that my dear father
right gladly this will do:
He’ll send me into Hunsland
that I with you may be.”
That she was loyal-hearted
Kriemhilda well could see.
In front of Bechelaren
the horses had been led;
The noble queen already
her parting words had said
Unto the wife and daughter
of margrave Rüdeger;
With greetings, too, departed
full many a maiden fair.
They scarce from that day forward
saw one another more.
And when they came to Medlick,
lo! in their hands men bore
A store of brave gold flagons,
wherein, unto the street,
Wine brought they for the strangers;
to give them welcome meet.
There was a lord of manor
here dwelling, hight Astold;
Into the Austrian country
the way to them he told:
By Mautern, somewhat further
the Danube stream adown.
There right true service later
the mighty queen did own.
Unto his niece the bishop
a loving farewell bade;
To be of cheerful spirit
her earnestly he pray’d,
And win herself such honour
as Helka erst had done.
Ay! what great honour later
amongst the Huns she won!
Unto the Traisen river
the guests they soon did bring;
And Rüdeger’s retainers
served them, unwearying,
Until the Hunfolk riding
across the country came.
Then was there mickle honour
done to the royal dame.
The king of the Huns’ country
did, near the Traisen, own
A very noble stronghold,
to everyone well known.
Its name was Traisenmauer,
where Helka lived of yore,
And practised such great virtues,
scarce met with any more,
Save only in Kriemhilda;—
for she knew how to give;—
And, after all her sorrow,
was for some joy to live,
In that she also honour
of Etzel’s folk might have;
Which soon, in fullest measure,
the heroes to her gave.
The sovereignty of Etzel
was own’d so far and wide
That at his court were met with,
at every time and tide,
The bravest of all warriors
whose names were known to fame
’Mongst Christians or heathens:
all thither to him came.
With him there was at all times—
which scarce again can come—
The Christian confession
along with heathendom.
Whatever rule of living
each for himself might have,
The king’s mood was so easy,
plenty to all he gave.